The Bag Boy Nitron is a three wheel push cart that has best in class foldability. At just over 16 pounds, this is one of the lighter yet and easy to use golf push cart option on the market Check out our Bag Boy Nitron Review to learn more.
The GoGoGo GS24 is a value priced rangefinder with a range of 650 yards and accuracy to within one yardeven manages to include slope technology for this very fair price. Check out our GoGoGo GS24 Review to learn more.
I didn’t know how a $150 rangefinder without slope technology could help a golfer. However, the accuracy, Pinsensor technology, and durability on this TecTecTec VPRO500 surprised me. This is a perfect rangefinder for a golfer on a budget looking for a long-term solution to their yardage dilemmas.
If you have been searching for a rangefinder, chances are you have seen an ad for a Blue Tees Series 2 Pro Rangefinder. The marketing from the Blue Tees brand is quite strong. If you are wondering if the product can support all of this strong marketing, we have all the information you need.
The Precision Pro NX9 first caught our attention because it is a fair price for a durable rangefinder model with slope. After using the Precision Pro NX9 for a few months, we have a good idea as to what this rangefinder is capable of and where it lacks. Click here to read more of our Precision Pro NX9 review
The Precision Pro NX7 is one of the most affordable golf rangefinders on the market. With this model, you will get slope technology for a very fair price. Read more of our Precision Pro NX7 to get the most important details of this rangefinder
If you are a serious golfer, you know the Bushnell name. There is really no debating that Bushnell is the strongest and most recognized brand name in the golf laser rangefinder market. The latest Bushnell Pro XE is a newer release from the company, and it features some technology that we have not seen before.
If you are a serious golfer, you know the Bushnell name. There is really no debating that Bushnell is the strongest and most recognized brand name in the golf laser rangefinder market. The latest Bushnell Pro XE is a newer release from the company, and it features some technology that we have not seen before.
If you are a serious golfer, you know the Bushnell name. Check out our Bushnell Pro XE review to learn why Bushnell is the strongest and most recognized brand name in the golf laser rangefinder market. Their latest rangefinder, the Pro XE is a newer release from the company, and it features some technology that we have not seen before.
Laser Link continues to adopt the more standard rangefinder form factor with their second non-pistol shaped rangefinder. While that wasn't surprising, we were surprised to see the release of a rangefinder that provides slope-adjusted yardage displays, and keeping the with 6x magnification, +/- 0.5 yard accuracy, and the ability to scan across multiple targets for distances (reflective prism not required on flagsticks) of it's brother, the Laser Link XL1000. Now the question is whether a lower-powered device will be able to compete in the crowded rangefinder market. At least price won't be a hurdle... Read more details on the Laser Link SLOPE.
Retail price: $199.00
Amazon.com: Check price now
Last Link retains most all of the features of their classic QuickShot, including the pistol form factor (of course), and a red dot in the viewfinder to help align with the flagstick to obtain yardages. Just remember, this laser rangefinder will work only if the flagstick is equipped with a reflective prism. If they aren't, and you like this shape of rangefinder, you'll want to look at either the Laser Link Switch Tour, or the Laser Link Red Hot 2.
Retail price: $189
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The Laser Link Switch Tour replaces the aging Laser Link Swith, but...well, offers no noticeable changes. Laser Link continues to be the only company offering the "pistol" form factor, where the player holds the rangefinder away from their eye. And while Laser Link is best known for pairing the flagsticks that have reflective prisms, the Switch Tour allows the player to swap between modes of targeting any point (as with the Red Hot 2), and focusing on reflective prisms (as with the QuickShot). And yes, this is the only device that requires the user to actually take action when moving between targeting different objects. Oof.
Retail price: $299.00
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Bushnell, one of the last laser manufacturers to still offer a horizontal form-factor, makes the switch to all vertical offerings with their new Bushnell Pro X2. The Pro X2 offers all the features of their most recent prior top-end devices, including 6x magnification, the ability to toggle between vivid red and green text and images in the display, and slope-compensated distance readings when needed, though now available at the flip of a switch. There is JOLT (vibrations) when you lock onto a pin, range now up to 1,300 yards, and accuracy down to 1/2 increments. There isn't much more a player could want, really. Read on for more about the Bushnell Pro X2.
Retail: $499.99
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell Pro XE
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Bushnell makes a slight shift (literally) with the Bushnell Tour V4 Shift, offering a small update from the prior generation Bushnell Tour V4 Slope. The Bushnell Tour V4 Shift allows for the player to quickly toggle between distance readings with slope compensated distances using a hard switch (versus having to navigate software menus), and the USGA-conforming mode of providing line-of-sight distances only. Other that that, all features remain the same as on the Bushnell Tour V4 Slope. Read on for more about the Bushnell Tour V4 Shift.
Retail: $399.99
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The GolferPal EasyPal is a good looking cart that, believe it or not, will fold and unfold itself. The design of the cart itself is fine, if not exceptional. We had an issue with the frame of the cart that led it to constantly pull right, which certainly clouded our view. Kind of a neat gadget, but the quality control issue was difficult for us to overlook. Read more in our GolferPal EasyPal review.
Retail price: $399.99
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Leupold no longer has to have a separate clip-on faceplate to enable slope-adjusted distance readings in order to abide by the USGA Rules. With a rule update, as long as the DMD (that would be 'Distance Measuring Device') has the ability to turn off the ability to provide slope and/or slope-compensated distance readings, the player can use the devices for tournament play. Where permitted, of course. Tack on to that 6x magnification in a lightweight device that, for Leupold, provides the same slope information for less than their GX-4i2, and you're ready to go. Read on for more about the Leupold GX-22
Retail: $429.99 (but more commonly found under $340)
Edwin Watts: Check price now
Bushnell iterates on the v3 with the Bushnell Tour V4, offering the same vertically-held design, LCD with 5x magnification, and JOLT (shake it, sha- sha- sha- shake it!). Read on for more about the Bushnell Tour V4.
Retail: $299.99
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Bushnell keeps plodding along, adding the V4 family of devices to its already packed lineup of laser rangefinders, which all seem to live on. And on. And on. The V4 shaves just a bit in size from the v3, and still provides the same 5x magnification. The kicker with the "Slope" family from Bushnell is the elevation compensated distances available for the player. Read on for more about the Bushnell Tour V4 Slope.
Retail: $399.99
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell Tour V4 Shift
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Lightweight, comfortable, and providing solid stability on the course, the Nike FI Impact 2s have a lot going for them. The color palette may be too flashy for some, and the MSRP is on the high side (although Nike has now marked them down), but this is a solid shoe.
Retail price: $140 (since reduced to $95)
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The Skechers GO GOLF Elites are reasonably good-looking, albeit modestly styled, shoes that are also reasonably priced at $100. Relatively lightweight and waterproof, but we would have preferred a bit more padding (or perhaps some more flexibility right out of the box), as our dogs were pretty tired after the initial test round. Read on in our Skechers GO GOLF Elite review.
Retail price: $100
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Yes, it does have distances to front/middle/back of green, plus hazards. Yes, there is a green view with ability to place the flagstick, and a scorecard. And yes, there are 40,000 worldwide courses pre-loaded and Garmin has great course coverage. But it clips to your waist. Clips. Read on for more details about the Garmin Approach G10 golf gps.
Retail price: $129.99
Three year total cost: $129.99
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Boy this watch looks familiar...where have I seen this design before...hmmm. Anywho, the Garmin Approach S20 offers a reasonably priced golf watch with yardages to greens (front-middle-back, along with ability to place flagsticks), hazards, and other targets such as layups and doglegs. Garmin's new AutoShot feature captures the location and distance of each shot automagically, then uploads data for post-round analysis, including map overlay. Paired with the Garmin TruSwing sensor, the device can provide more in-depth swing analysis. Read on for more details about the Garmin Approach S20 golf watch.
Retail price: $199.99
Three year total cost: $199.99
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GAME GOLF LIVE, as with the older Classic, doesn't have a screen, but the LIVE can provide real-time on course statistics, in-round editing capabilities, real-time (or post-round) syncing, and "SMART GPS" via a connection to your Bluetooth-enabled iOS/Android device. If you leave your phone at home, that's okay...GAME GOLF LIVE continues to record your stats for review post-round, either on your phone or computer. Read on for more about GAME GOLF LIVE.
Retail price: $299.00
Three-year cost: $299.00
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The Rovic RV1S, by Clicgear, retains a "compact" cart form, with a couple of key differences from the Rovic RV1C. The RV1S ("S" for "swivel"), at 13" x 15" 24" folded, is the same size as the RV1C ("C" for "compact"), but introduces a new swiveling front wheel as well as foot brake foot brake. The RV1S comes with console including cup holder, accessory mounts, umbrella clip and holder, and comes in 4 different colors: Charcoal/Black, Charcoal/Lime, Arctic/White and Silver/Black. Just a Benjamin more than the RV1C, we think that is worth it for the swiveling front wheel. Read more details about the Rovic RV1S.
Retail price: $190
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Nike trims the fat with the Nike Sport Carry Lite golf bag, their lightest carry bag to date. At under 4 pounds don't expect the Sport Carry Lite to have all the features of heavier carry bags, but there are still a reasonable amount of accessories, and the bag provides exceptional value at $130. Read on for our review of the Nike Sport Carry Lite golf bag.
Retail price: $130.00
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Attractively priced at $100, the PUMA BioFly Mesh is a nice shoe, but it won’t knock your socks off. Lightweight and waterproof, but has a synthetic sheen to it. Not a bad option if value is an important factor. Read more details in our PUMA BioFly Mesh spikeless shoe review.
Retail price: $100.00
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Ahh, the wearables revolution begins. In this case, it is GolfBuddy trotting out the GolfBuddy BB5 golf GPS band. What's that? Well, think of that fitbit you or your buddies have, but one that shows distances to front, center and back of green on an LED display. We don't have any issues with their effort, but we are concerned about the price. At $250 retail, we bet many players will start looking toward golf watches that offer target and hazard distances, and scoring functionality. Read more about the GolBuddy BB5 golf GPS band.
Retail price: $249.99
Amazon: Check price now
The Swami 4000+ adds distances to hazards and doglegs to the original Swami 4000, which offered only front, center and back of green information. There is an associated $20 price bump, but with no annual fees, the IZZO still remains one of the most inexpensive golf GPS devices on the market. The device has a 1.8" color screen, and offers basic functionality such as hole advance, shot measurements, and distances in yards or meters. Read on for more about the IZZO Swami 4000+.
Retail price: $139.95
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The GolfBuddy WT5 brings a slimmer design and lower price tag to the GolfBuddy lineup. It offers the basics in its simple black-and-white LCD that is 1.3" across. Four buttons allow the player to get distances to targets and hazards, front/center/back points of green, place the pin for more accurate reading. The WT5 also provides an image of the green and pin, and a scorecard. Read on for more about the GolfBuddy WT5 Watch.
Retail price: $199.99
Amazon: Check price now
Now here's something we didn't expect...a laser rangefinger from GolfBuddy, and kick in an aggressive price point to boot! Known best for their GPS handhelds (and now watches), GolfBuddy expands their offerings with the GolfBuddy LR5. The laser weighs under 8oz., has 3 different scanning modes, 6x magnification and accuracy to 1 yard. Hey, with most players selecting either a laser or GPS device, why shouldn't GolfBuddy give it a shot? Read on for more details about the GolfBuddy LR5.
Retail price: $249.99
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Nike doesn't have the same push toward spikeless shoes as some of the competition, but is going for some hipster old school street cred with the Lunar Waverlys. Heck, you can't even find tennis shoes these days with this much white. Fit and performance, however, seem to be stuck in the past as well, which kept us from really embracing these shoes. Read on for our Nike Lunar Waverly review.
Retail price: $140
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There are about a billion different options in this category, so its impossible to cover the breadth. Our purchases keep to those tees that are USGA-conforming, but after that can range from the traditional cup-style to designs that have a three-prong design, to plastic and bamboo, to those that have stripes on the sides to help with determining height. Read on for more about the variety of golf tees available.
Retail prices: varies
Oh, and don't forget to purchase the correct height tees for your game and clubs!
Some options on Amazon:
Frogger Green Monster (bamboo - harder and more sustainable than other tees): Check price now
Zero Friction (3-prong, with stripes for correct placement): Check price now
Pride Professional (plastic, durable and longer-lasting): Check price now
Frogger Green Tess
Ok, they aren't going to revolutionize your game, but it will save you some hassle. For way too long we had a handful of rubber golf tees in our bag that were different sizes to deal with the variety of driving range mats. Now we just have one. Twist it up, twist it down...adjusts to whatever mat we happen to be using at the moment. Simple and handy. Read on for more information on . Ok, we would be rather hitting off grass, but until Critical Golf hits the big time and we can join a club, that isn't an option...
Retail price: ~$3.50+ each
Amazon: Check price now
And here they come...the Apple Watches. Our test is for the 42mm Watch Sport with Golfshot subscription, though users will have the same user experience on the course. In addition to flashing your Apple fanboy-ness, you will also receive 3D hole flyovers, stats tracking and yardages to hole and targets. Stay tuned for more in our upcoming Apple Watch review.
Retail prices are shown below for the range of Apple Watch offerings.
Apple Watch Sport: $349-$399
Amazon: Check price now
There are also options for the Apple Watch at $549-$1,099, and the Apple Watch Edition at $10,000-$17,000 (right....)
Golfshot: Check price now ($24.99 annually)
The ECCO BIOM Hybrid 2 takes its place at the top of ECCO's spikeless shoe lineup. As a refresher, BIOM is ECCO's technology that helps the body while allowing natural foot motion. And "Hybrid" indicates the model is one of ECCO's spikeless shoes. Whatever the terminology, the Hybrid 2 is, like the original ECCO BIOM Hybrid, an extremely comfortable and well-performing shoe. Read on for our ECCO BIOM Hybrid 2 review.
Retail price: $195.00
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Zappos: Check price now
Sun Mountain goes into the depths of their marketing material and resurrects the 'Front 9' model name after nearly 30 years. Now that is old school. Plus, think of the savings – no need to hire more consultants to come up with golf gear model names that are in ALL CAPS like most manufacturers. The Front 9 is Sun Mountain's lightest, at 4 pounds, and least expensive carry bag. Three full-length dividers and six pockets are the basics you get. Read on for more details about the Sun Mountain Front 9.
Retail price: $169.99
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Golfsmith: Check price now
The adidas adipower Boost Boa spikeless golf shoes are exceedingly comfortable, relatively stylish and feature the innovative Boa closure system that replaces traditional shoelaces and gives you unexpected confidence in your balance and stability. Sure they’re expensive, but they’re worth it. Read on for our detailed review of the adidas adipower Boost Boa.
Retail price: $230
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Golfsmith: Check price now
The Nikon COOLSHOT 40i was released concurrently with the Nikon COOLSHOT 40, and is the latest top-of-the-line golf laser rangefinder, including slope adjusted distances. The COOLSHOT 40i offers a different color scheme than the 40, a darker color (maybe to imply that you are receiving, ahem, assistance?), 6x magnification and scanning for up to 8 seconds. Distance accuracy is an excellent 0.5 yard and range up to 650 yards, and the device is rainproof too. If you are looking for Nikon optics plus slope adjusted distances, here it is. Read more about the Nikon COOLSHOT 40i.
Retail price: $399.99
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The Nikon COOLSHOT 40 is the mid-level golf laser rangefinder in the Nikon COOLSHOT lineup, improving on the previously introduced Nikon COOLSHOT 20. The COOLSHOT 40 offers a similar white and blue design, with 6x magnification and scanning for up to 8 seconds. Distance accuracy is increased from the COOLSHOT 20 down to 0.5 yard and range up to 650 yards, and its rainproof too... Read more about the Nikon COOLSHOT 40.
Retail price: $299.99
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The Nikon COOLSHOT 20 replaces the original Nikon COOLSHOT as the entry-level Nikon offering, and offers a modified white and blue design versus the original, though slightly less powerful laser. The Nikon COOLSHOT 20 at release holds the title as the smallest and lightest Nikon golf rangefinder, with 6x magnification and LED illumination, scanning for up to 8 seconds, distances to 1 yard and range to 550 yards. Not bad for a sub-$200 device. Read more about the Nikon COOLSHOT 20 golf laser rangefinder.
Retail price: $199.99
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What the $#!#$? Well, that might be what the major golf laser manufacturers are saying about the ScoreBand Pulse, which retails for under $180. Yup, you heard that right. $180. You might not expect much, but it comes with 6x magnification, scanning mode, flag-lock mode, and claims accuracy to +/- 1 yard. Dang... You do give up some in distance, with a 250 yard range to a flag, and 400 yard range otherwise, which is less than the competition. Read on for more about the ScoreBand Pulse.
Retail price: $179.99
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The ScoreBand Golf Watch is the lowest price golf GPS watch we have tested, but sometimes you get what you pay for. An awkward user interface, software bugs, map inaccuracies, and no apparent way to download course map updates all left us with the impression of an unfinished product. Read on for ScoreBand Golf GPS Watch review.
Retail price: $149.95
Three year total cost: $149.95
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Callaway leverages its new relationship with IZZO to introduce the Callaway 300 Laser Rangefinder. It is reasonably priced, offering 6x magnification (the minimum we recommend), accuracy to +/- 1 yard (standard), and distances in yards and meters. The Callaway 300 is waterproof and fog proof, and comes with carry case included. It continues the line of entry-level laser rangefinders that Callaway has offered in the past. Read on for more about the Callaway 300.
Retail price: $279.99
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We have to admit we are struggling to figure out the target market for the Callaway (/IZZO) ECLIPSE. You can clip the device to your belt or bag, and then quickly detach it and carry it in your pocket. Um, or you could simply get a dedicated handheld or a watch. The ECLIPSE provides front, center and back or green, as well as distances to hazards and doglegs. There are scoring features as well, including putts and GIR. We just aren't quite sure what the versatility gains us. Read more about the Callaway ECLIPSE.
Retail price: $199.99
Three year cost: $199.99
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Want simple? The Bushnell NEO Ghost is it. The Ghost provides front, center, and back of green distances, with up to four hazard distances per hole - this in addition to the part and hole number. The NEO Ghost comes preloaded with 33,000 courses, with no downloads or annual fees. There are 6 buttons on the device that allow you to move through menus, make selections, and track (but not save) shot distances. The functionality is essentially the same as the Bushnell NEO XS watch. The deciding factor for players will be if they want to spend a bit more for the convenience of a watch instead of pulling the Ghost from their pocked or the attached clip. Read more details in advance of our full Bushnell NEO ghost review.
Retail price: $129.99
Three year total cost: $129.99
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The Leupold GX-3i2 has a solid aluminum body and a red OLED readout, all in a compact form factor. Enhancements in this model from the prior Leupold GX-3i are slight, but Leupold is now making enhancements on a line that is already exceptional. The device has 6x magnification, provides distances when panning and a flagstick prism lock option. Read on for more details of the Leupold GX-1i2 review.
Retail price: $374.99
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Leupold continues to get more aggressive with their entry golf laser rangefinder, with the Leupold PinCaddie 2 now at under $250 is one of the lower priced laser rangefinders in our tests. The PinCaddie 2 has an LCD display and features Leupold's PinHunter technology (targets the nearest object), 6x magnification, and scanning mode. Read on for more details about the Leupold PinCaddie 2.
Retail price: $249.99
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The SkyCaddie AIRE II is the smallest handheld SkyCaddie handheld device, providing distances to the front, center and back of green only on its black and white screen. And as all SkyCaddie devices, don't forget to consider the yearly fees for the features you will likely want, in this case distances to hazards, as well as additional green information...for a whopping $49.95 per YEAR. Check out more details on the SkyCaddie Aire II.
Retail price: $169.95
Three year total cost: $319.80
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Clicgear tries something new (for them) with their Model 8, which features a new four-wheeled design and enhancements to the Clicgear 3.5+. Work on your curls - at nearly 22 pounds, this cart is the new heavyweight in the category. The cart features a hand lever that activates the dual front brakes, multiple drink holders, accessory tabs, solid tires, and a storage tray as large as the Model 8's price. Read on for more about the Clicgear Model 8.
Retail price: $279.99
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What struck us when we first saw the PING folding travel cover was not just that it was a new softsided travel case. But that it was standing upright, on its own. Hey, the others in our test sure don't have that kind of rigid structure. And with 2 wheels, you can tip and pull at an angle using the rotating rubber handle. Two interior pockets, three external compression straps, and thick upper padding will keep your bags safe. Read on for more about the PING Folding Travel Cover.
Retail price: $225
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The Caddy Daddy Constrictor 2 golf travel bag surrounds your clubs with an 1800d nylon exterior, compression straps, padding at the top of the bag, and curb rails. For your convenience there are handles at the top, middle and bottom of the bag, and 2 large shoe pockets. As with most soft golf travel bags, the Caddy Daddy is more of a pain to pull through the airport than 4 and 6-wheeled soft and hardside bags. While the Constrictor 2 offers a very attractive price point, we had durability issues from the get-go, leading us to recommend looking at alternatives. Read on for more details in our Caddy Daddy Constrictor 2 review.
Retail price: $109.99
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The Tour Trek GTS Hardcase matches the ease of four-wheeling provided by the Samsonite Hardside. The two bags both have a lightweight plastic ABS protective shell and feature wheels that allow the case to stand vertically on its own. They’re both great choices, so your decision may just come down to the respective pricing and whether or not you care that we couldn’t find any warranty information about the GTS Hardcase. Read on for more about the Tour Trek GTS Hardcase.
Retail price: $199.99
Golfsmith: Check price now
Looking for our review of Arccos Golf? While it does pair with your iPhone to provide course maps and distance information to help you navigate the course, the driving functionality behind the device is the ability to track shots during the round and provide post-round stats and analysis. Therefore, we have filed Arccos Golf in our Training Aids category. So head on over there to check out our Arccos Golf review.
Retail price: $299.99
Three-year cost: $299.99
Amazon.com: Check price now
Golfsmith: Check price now
Edwin Watts Golf: Check price now
Arccos Golf provides GPS information, statistics tracking, and analytics, all through a set of sensors that you attach to the butt of each club, and then pair with your iPhone to capture information without interruption while you play. Ahh, the easier the better! Read on for more details about Arccos Golf.
Retail price: $299.99
Three-year cost: $299.99
Amazon.com: Check price now
Golfsmith: Check price now
Edwin Watts Golf: Check price now
IZZO takes on Arccos and GAME GOLF with their Swami GT. The device is designed to not only track your shot data without having to manually input any information, but also provide distances to front, center and back of green, and a recommended club based upon your average distances. One of the big selling points is the cost, which at $200 for a combination GPS and game tracking device, will make players who are interested in more data on their game want to take a look. And, we bet, put some pressure on the competition to lower their prices. Read on for more details about the IZZO Swami GT.
Retail price: $199.99
Three year price: $199.99
Availability: "Coming soon!" (as of June 2015)
Don't be scared off by the four-step folding method of Sun Mountain's new Reflex push cart - break out your origami skills and fold it down to a small 25.0" X 15.0" X 11.0", and lift the 17.0 cart right into your trunk. The Reflex offers more storage space than most carts, with two padded valuable trays in addition to the standard holders for scorecard, golf balls and booz...er, fluids. The 180-degree range of adjustment for the push handles, in addition to adjustable handle height, is a twist (bada-bum-bum) as well. Read on for more details about the Sun Mountain Reflex.
Retail price: $259.99
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The Micro-Cart gets updated in 2015 with the MC3, the latest offering in Sun Mountain's patented line. The MC3, like its predecessors, folds in two steps to a relatively small footprint, making it simple to get in and out of your car. The MC3 has upgraded to larger diameter tires, which combined with the low center of gravity on the Micro-Cart line, make the bumps on the course that much easier to tackle (you won't even notice those gopher holes). Read on for more details about the Sun Mountain MC3 Micro-Cart.
Retail price: $199.99
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The Bushnell Tour X rangefinder replaces the Bushnell Tour v3 Jolt Slope. The Bushnell Tour X has everything the Tour v3 offers plus more, with the TourX offering 6x magnification (versus 5x on the v3), and a switchable faceplace (ala Leupold) that allows the user to switch between a USGA-conforming device, and one that offers slope-adjusted distance readings. In addition, new "Dual Display" technology allows a user to toggle between Bushnell's "Vivid Display" (think red text/numbers) and black display based as desired. Read more about the Bushnell Tour X
Retail price: $499.00
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell Pro X2
Amazon.com: Check price now
You didn't think Garmin would leave a gap in their naming, already having the S1, S2, S3, S4 and S6, did you? We didn't. And lo and behold, released at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show, is the Garmin Approach S5 watch. So given this crazy set of offerings, which do you get? The best way to think of the S5 is that it is the entry-level Garmin golf watch with full course maps. It lacks the tempo training and pin-pointing features of the Garmin Approach S6, which is just fine with us. It still offers everything else you need - yardages to near-center-far points on the green, layup arcs, scoring and stats, smartphone notifications, and the free Garmin Connect portal. Read more details on the Garmin Approach S5 golf watch.
Retail price: $349.99
Three year total cost: $349.99
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Garmin S20, though units may still be available on Amazon.com (see link below)
Amazon.com: Check price now
Longtime GPS player TomTom enters the golf GPS world with the TomTom Golfer golf GPS watch. There are some nice elements, including an excellent user interface and the ability to update courses via Bluetooth from your mobile device. But the presentation of hazards is seriously flawed, impacting our enthusiasm for the device. TomTom has promised a software update to improve the hazard feature, but until that actually comes to fruition, we can only provide a polite golf clap for the Golfer. Read on for more details about the TomTom Golfer watch.
Retail price: $249.99
Three year total cost: $249.99
Amazon.com: Check price now
The ES12 was Ernest Sports' introduction to the portable launch monitor market, and it remains the entry-level product within their line. The ES12 immediately provides ball speed and calculated shot distance (carry or total) and pairs via Bluetooth with your mobile device to allow for analysis and tracking additional information. As with it's big brother the ES14, the ES12 uses doppler radar to measure ball speed, and requires the player to select the correct club prior to the shot in order for the device to provide accurate calculation of shot distances. Read on for more details about the Ernest Sports ES12 Golf Launch Monitor.
Retail price: $199.99 (down from $249 at introduction)
Amazon.com: Check price now
Announced in August 2014 at the Wyndham Championship is the SkyTrak, the first launch monitor from SportTrak. The photometric (aka camera-based) SkyGolf SkyTrak captures ball speed (not clubhead speed), launch angle (sweet!), backspin, side spin, and side angle, and from this data provides immediate feedback on where, how, and the distance the ball traveled, displaying as a 3D visualization on your paired mobile wireless device. The pitch from SkyTrak is a portable ease-to-use device that is consumer-friendly, offers a wide breadth of data, 3D visual analysis…all at an affordable price. Sounds good to us! Read more details about the SkyGolf SkyTrak.
Retail price: $1,999 - $2,095, depending on included package (game improvement or package range package)
Available directly from SkyGolf: Check price now
Voice Caddie introduced voice-guided GPS rangefinders in 2010, and since that time has expanded into tools for putting analysis, green slope measurement and our focus here, their new portable launch monitor, the Swing Caddie SC100. The SC100 is a self-contained unit with large LCD that doesn't require a separate mobile device or laptop to use, and comes with a remote control for navigation. Its doppler radar provides ball and swing speed, as well as calculation of smash factor and carry distance. It's incredibly small and light, and at a attractive price point, this will be a portable launch monitor to watch. Read on for more details about the Swing Caddie SC100.
Retail price: $269.99
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2014 brought Ernest Sports' latest portable launch monitor, the ES14. The ES14 uses doppler radar to instantly measure club speed and ball speed, and then from this information calculates smash factor, launch angle, spin rates and distance. The ES14 pairs via Bluetooth to your mobile device to provide additional swing data as well as tracking information over time. Selling points include the ease of setup and portability. Unlike most launch monitors, the ES14 is placed in front of your ball position and to the side, so if you are prone to the shanks, think twice before purchasing! Read more details about the Ernest Sports ES14 Golf Launch Monitor.
Retail price: $549.99
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We have appreciated previous Callaway carry bags in our tests, and the Hyper-Lite (HL) 5 follows suit. The Callaway Hyper-Lite 5 weighed in at just over 5 pounds (the bag "number" doesn't specifically indicate weight), and has 8 pockets. Comparing to the latest iteration of the Hyper-Lite 4, the Hyper-Lite 5 has a larger top (9" v 8.5") and 5 full-length dividers (versus 4 on the Hyper-Lite 4). Oh, and a bit lower price, which we can't explain, but we certainly won't complain about. It’s a solid bag, with integrated foot stand, and good shoulder and hip padding. Read on for our review of the Callaway Hyper-Lite 5.
Retail price: $179.99
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The upgraded Swingbyte 2 continues to provide a 3D visual of your swing along with key data immediately after your swing, pairing with iOS and Android devices and the use of a free Swingbyte app and allowing you to see real-time feedback. All the better to hone your game at the range...or that kickass home golf studio you've been dreaming about building in your kid's room after they headed off for college. Read on for more details about the Swingbyte 2.
Retail price: $169
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Zepp moves from their sport-specific GofSense device to an updated Zepp sensor that can be used for golf, and if you really want to do something else other than hit the course, can also be used for tennis or baseball, merely by purchasing additional sport specific mounts (at relatively low cost, about $10), and downloading the sport's free app from the Apple App Store or Android Google Play Store. Read on for more about the Zepp Golf Kit.
Retail price: $149.99
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Caddytek goes straight-up against the Clicgear 3.5+, one of the top-rated push carts in our tests, with their latest top-of-the-line 3-wheeled push cart, the CaddyLite EZ. We mention this comparison as this is how they market the CaddyLite on their website as well.
Retail price: $179
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Caddytek (or is it CaddyTek? Not even their website knows...) iterates on their lone 4-wheeled push cart with the Caddytek CaddyCruiser ONE V3, alternatively known as the "CaddyTek One-Click Folding 4 Wheel Golf Push Cart - V3." This 3rd generation Caddytek folds to compact size (with just a single button click to release), has front wheel suspension (the only push cart to offer this), and a reasonable price. Read more about the Caddytek CaddyCruiser ONE V3 push cart.
Retail price: $189
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The predecessor to the Sun Mountain Three 5, the Sun Mountain Superlight 3.5 received high ratings when introduced, and the new Three 5 is slightly redesigned for 2014. The bag features the a 9.5″, 4-way top and 6 pockets, including a full-length clothing pocket, beverage pouch and a velour-lined valuables pocket. The Three 5 features the Auto-Fit Dual Strap System, of which we are fans. Read on for more about the Sun Mountain Three 5 stand/carry bag.
Retail price: $199.99
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The beauty of the Sun Mountain Zero-G is still the belt strap, which takes much of the weight of the bag off of your aching shoulders and redistributes it to your hips and legs. It’s a bit pricey, but anyone with a bad back can tell you that money becomes no object compared to lumbar pain. Read on for our full Sun Mountain Three 5 Zero-G carry bag review.
Retail price: $219.99
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When you think of Oxford, you might picture well-mannered sophistication – and perhaps soggy feet from the persistent moisture. If so, then you will agree that the TRUE oxford spikeless golf shoes are properly named indeed (if not properly capitalized). We loved the stylish suede uppers (they are also offered in canvas) and the easy cleaning and maintenance. We didn’t like the water that crept in to dampen our socks, feet, and mood. The box indicates a 1-year waterproof warranty, which inspired our purchase. Further review of the TRUE website, however, revealed contradictory information (more on that below). The TRUE oxfords are comfortable, well-priced, and look sharp. But keeping your little piggies warm and dry when it’s wet out will require a different solution. Read on for our TRUE oxford spikeless golf shoe review
Retail price: $99.99
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The FJ SuperLites CT provide an athletic look in an extremely lightweight package. At a mere 1.15 pounds, these are the lightest spikeless golf shoes that we’ve tested. The SuperLites CT are comfortable, breathe well, and at their reasonable price point ($115 MSRP), have emerged as one of our favorites among athletic-style spikeless golf shoes. The one caveat is that they are not waterproof, so depending on the climate in which you play, they may or may not be feasible.
Retail price: $115
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As Scotty Cameron and Titleist are both part of the Acushnet family of companies, we were disappointed to find a lack of putter fitting as a part of our visit to the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI). The good news is that, following the opening of galleries in Korea and Japan, Scotty Cameron has opened his first public fitting center in the United States, located in Encinitas, CA (just north of San Diego). The Gallery is offering 2-hour putter fitting appointments, as well as the ability to purchase one-of-a-kind Scotty Cameron putters, hand-crafted metalwork, apparel and more in their boutique. Read more about the new Scotty Cameron Gallery.
Price: $350.00
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
To set up an appointment, contact John Pinney, Fitting Coordinator, 760-591-9720
Sun Mountain has added the ClubGlider Tour Series as the second largest offering in the line of ClubGlider four-wheel golf travel bags. The updated 2014 line seems to have resulted in the Meridian being reduced to a slightly smaller size, as the Tour Series matches up closely with the 2012 ClubGlider Meridian that we tested. We still love the ease of four-wheeling, but the price of the Tour Series also still makes us gulp.
Retail price: $319.99
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The Titleist Ultra Lightweight is, as you would expect, the lightest stand bag in the Titleist lineup, weighing it in at 4.9 pounds as tested with rain hood. The key features include a 3-way full-length club divider, apparel pocket, double straps, and beverage sleeve, with a price is in line with competing lightweight bags. Oh, and in keeping with the more options are better, a whopping 8 color combinations. Read more in our Titleist Ultra Lightweight review.
Retail price: $160
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The Nikon COOLSHOT AS is essentially the same device as the Nikon COOLSHOT golf laser rangefinder (and thus the Callaway RAZR), adding slope-adjusted distance readings with the company's ID technology (so yes, this laser can't be used in competitions, even with a local rule permitting distance-measuring devise). A black body with bright lime green accents make for a flashy device. The LED offers continuous measurement up to 8 seconds, 6x magnification, Nikon's "First Target Priority", and distancing to 600 yards.
Retail price $349.99
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Nikon COOLSHOT 40i
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Available during their laser rangefinder relationship with Callaway (branded as the Callaway RAZR), Nikon rolls on selling the COOLSHOT rangefinder on its own with slightly different white and blue design. The Nikon COOLSHOT is the smallest and lightest Nikon rangefinder, has 6x magnification and LED illumination, "First Target Priority" of previous Nikon rangefinders, and can pan for up to 8 seconds. The COOLSHOT was introduced at a price point quite a bit less than the original RAZR, which retailed at $349.95. Read more about the Nikon COOLSHOT golf laser rangefinder.
Retail price: $279.99
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the NIKON COOLSHOT 20
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The Garmin Approach S6 is the best golf GPS watch we’ve tested to date, combining overhead hole maps with a touchscreen to determine the distance to any point on the golf course...and it’s all available on your wrist. An excellent set of features, including a swing tempo training aid, make this a versatile and interesting device. Read our detailed Garmin Approach S6 golf watch review.
Retail price: $399.99
Three year total cost: $399.99
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Yakkity yak, ECCO's back. With the ECCO BIOM Hybrid, featuring breathable and water-repellent Yak leather, that is. The price is on the high side in our tests, but it is a shoe that we have grown to appreciate the more we use, and provides much improved comfort and support versus the ECCO Street and ECCO Street Premiere. A good-looking and high-quality shoe, the BIOM Hybrid is one to check out. Read more about the ECCO BIOM Hybrid review.
Retail price: $190
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As nice as our ClubGlider Meridian golf travel bag is, we wouldn't mind some hassle free travel. If someone could pick up the clubs from our house and deliver them to the course. On time. Insured. That would make my life easier. Therein lies the premise for Ship Sticks, a company that provides delivery service for your golf clubs (and skis, snowboards or other luggage).
Far more attractive than the TRUE tour, the TRUE lyt dry is a good looking shoe, with a leather upper that is waterproof, and a thin platform that is in TRUE's word, lyt. We found the shoe extremely comfortable, with the only quibble the height of the backstay/heel tab at your achilles, which we would reduce slightly. It comes at a very reasonable price for what you get, and while we went with grey/lime, you can select from black/dark grey, white/salmon, and black/royal. Read on for more details in our TRUE lyt dry golf shoe review.
Retail price: $149.99
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The Laser Link Red Hot 2 continues the pistol-shaped design that Laser Link is known for and provides the ability to obtain distances to any point on the golf course, unlike the more limited-use Laser Link QuickShot, which is designed to only pick up distance to flagsticks with reflective prisms. The Red Hot 2 (RH2) has a more ergonomically-friendly curved rubber handle, a red dot in the viewfinder for aiming, and the ability for distance confirmation to provide sound, be silent, or vibrate when locked on to a target. While the RH2 is available at a much more attractive (and realistic) price point than the prior generation offering, the downside and biggest difference from the competition remains the lack of any magnification in the viewfinder. Read more details in advance of our Laser Link Red Hot 2 review.
Retail price: $249
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GolfBuddy continues their model numbering system we haven't deciphered yet with the GolfBuddy PT4. This top-of-the-line GolfBuddy replaces the GolfBuddy World and GolfBuddy Platinum. It notably features an extremely large 4" high-resolution touchscreen and slimmer body design. While players generally think first of SkyCaddie and Garmin, the GolfBuddy PT4 features stats tracking, distances to any point on the course, pin placement capability and customizable targets, and with excellent course coverage and no annual fees, it shouldn't be overlooked. Read more in advance of our full GolfBuddy PT4 review.
Retail price: $399.99
Three year total cost: $399.99
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The Leupold GX-3i2 has a solid aluminum body and a red OLED readout, all in a compact form factor. Enhancements in this model from the prior Leupold GX-3i are slight, but Leupold is now making enhancements on a line that is already exceptional. The device has 6x magnification, provides distances when panning and a flagstick prism lock option. Read on for more details of the Leupold GX-3i2 review.
Retail price: $499.99
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The Leupold GX-4i2 has an aluminum body, a red OLED readout, and provides distances adjusted for slope, temperature and altitude, and club recommendations. Enhancements in this model include faster distance readings and flagstick range to 400 yards at +/- six inches. The best news about the latest Leupold laser that can measure slope? That the USGA has ruled (with local rules) that it conforms to USGA Rule 14-3 (pg. 6-7) when the chrome faceplate is attached (which keeps the device from providing additional information on slope, temperature, altitude and club recommendations). Read on for more details on the Leupold GX-4i2 review.
Retail: $624.99 (though significantly less from Amazon, link below
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Some might file GAME GOLF Classic (not to be confused with the GAME GOLF Android-exclusive tag set or their mobile app) under the category of GPS Devices, but as the unit tracks shots to help players learn more about their game after the round, and doesn't provide distances to holes or hazards during play, we have filed GAME GOLF Classic under our Training Aids category. Read on for more about the GAME GOLF Classic.
Retail price: $199.00
Three-year cost: $199.00
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The PING Hoofer continues to be a stalwart of the Ping lineup. The nylon and polyester bag weighs approximately 5 1/2 pounds, has a 5-way top with 2 full-length dividers, features 8 pockets, and has an attached rain hood that stores inside the cushioned hip pad. There are two independent shoulder straps, a reinforced bracket for the legs, and a wider 24-inch leg span for this latest release. Read on for more details about the PING Hoofer.
Retail price: $189.99
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The Ping 4 Series has been around a while, and the latest iteration introduces an attached rain hood that is snapped inside the hip pad, and a wider leg span when set down to increase stability. The bag features six pockets has a relatively slim profile and is the smallest of the more full-featured carry bags from Ping (by which we mean it has a more than just a few pockets). Read more details about the Ping 4 Series carry bag.
Retail price: $190
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The Rovic RV1C is the "compact" cart in the new series of Rovic push carts by Clicgear, and is a slight iteration to the Clicgear 3.5+. The RV1C, at 24" tall x 15" x 13" is just a hair taller when folded than the Clicgear 3.5+, but otherwise offers a nearly identical feature set, though lacks a storage net under the console. The RV1C has a hand brake, console with cup holder, accessory mounts, umbrella clip and holder, and comes in 3 different colors: Charcoal/Black, Charcoal/Lime and Arctic/White. Read more details about the Rovic RV1C.
Retail price: $180
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Clicgear has rebranded its lines of carts as "Rovic by Clicgear". Not sure why the change in branding, but hey, let's roll with it. The RV3F is their "full featured" cart. The cart, at 36" tall x 16" x 13.5" when folded isn't exactly compact, but it does provide a host of features. Key components include a hand brake, 3-ball clip, adjustable cup holder, accessory mount, umbrella clip and holder, 4 accessory tabs near the console, handle adjustment knob for handle height, and a storage bag. The Rovic RV3F also comes in 5 different colors. Read more in our full Rovic RV3F review.
Retail price: $180
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The SkyCaddie TOUCH sports a glove-friendly touchscreen, a 3" color screen, and links to your SkyGolf (free) mobile app via accompanying Bluetooth. We found an interface that leaves a lot to be desired and an overall sub-par experience. Oh, and don't forget the $49.95 yearly fee for unlimited nationwide courses. Sigh. Read on for more about the SkyCaddie TOUCH.
Retail price: $299.95
Three year total cost: $449.80
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The Bushnell Tour Z6 JOLT is just what the name implies…the latest iteration of the Bushnell Tour Z6, with the addition of JOLT technology, which provides vibrating bursts when the rangefinder has locked on to a target. Other than that, the device retains all the same specs as the prior generation device: vivid display technology (picture red crosshairs and distances in the display instead of black, but not an OLED display), readings from 5-125 yards with ½ yard accuracy and distances displayed to 1/10th of a yard, and 6x magnification. Read on for more details about the Bushnell Tour Z6 JOLT.
Retail price: $399
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell Tour V4
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TaylorMade competes in the featherweight/superlight/sub-4 category with the TaylorMade Microlite. This bag shaves weight but still offers the breadth of features in the standard carry bags, including five zippered pockets, reasonable back and strap padding, and accessory features such as towel clip and pen holder. It weighs in at 3.9 pounds, has two full-length dividers, and a 4-way top. It has a price in line with what it offers, and for those looking to carry their clubs, the TaylorMade Microlite is worth a look. Read on for our review of the TaylorMade Microlite carry bag review.
Retail price: $149.95
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The Garmin Approach G7 updates the Garmin G6 with slope-adjusted distances (whoa!), club recommendations, and the ability to receive email, text and call alerts. The G7 shares the same form factor as the G6, distance information to front/center/back of green and doglegs, and users can pinpoint any target on the course via touchscreen. For those deciding between the G7 and the Garmin Approach G8: the G7 has a slightly smaller screen (2.6" diagonal), lacks the ability to point in the direction of the center of the green for blind shots, and does not have Wi-Fi. But then again, it's $100 cheaper. As with other Garmin Approach devices, there are no annual fees. The G7 also connects to the new Garmin portal to upload scores and track progress over time. Check out more info about the Garmin Approach G7.
Retail price: $249.99
Three-year total cost: $249.99
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The sleek Garmin G8 provides distances to the front/center/back of the green, selected hazards and and doglegs, and the ability to pinpoint the distance to any target on the course via touchscreen. The device has a 3" color display, offers slope-adjusted distances (!), club recommendations, and the ability to receive email, text and call alerts (we'll pass – we are at out of the office for a reason). And if you have a blind shot, the G8 can point you in the right direction. No annual fees and an online portal to upload scores and track progress over time are a plus. Check out more in our Garmin G8 review.
Retail price: $349.99
Three-year total cost: $349.99
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The Bushnell NEO XS really is “new and improved”, both better looking and more capable than its older sibling, the Bushnell NEO-X watch (i.e. Matt Dillon to Kevin Dillon). Its feature set is limited, but it comes at a nice entry level price, and does the basic things very well. Read more in our detailed Bushnell NEO XS golf GPS watch review.
Retail price: $199.99
Three year total cost: $199.99
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The SkyCaddie LINX adds the full richness of SkyGolf's hazard, layup and target information and its green maps to a watch device. The LINX also adds Bluetooth, enabling you to connect to SkyGolf's free mobile app to update course maps on the fly. We love all of the distance information - the cost to obtain the good data, the thickness of the watch, and the setup process, not so much. Read more in our detailed SkyCaddie LINX watch review.
Retail price: $224.95
Three year total cost: $354.90
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The Bushnell Pro X7 JOLT rolls out in 2014 as the top-of-the-line tournament-legal laser rangefinder from Bushnell, replacing the Bushnell Pro 1M. The Bushnell X7 retains all the capabilities of the Pro 1M, and adds Bushnell's "JOLT" feature that provides vibrating bursts to indicate the X7 has locked onto a target. The Pro X7 offers the next generation E.S.P. that purports to provide yardages faster and more accurately than before. It remains the largest and heaviest laser rangefinder, with a steep price tag. But if you are looking for 7x magnification, this is the (only) way to go. More information is available in advance of our full Bushnell Pro X7 JOLT review.
Retail price: $499.00
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell Pro X2
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The Bushnell Pro X7 JOLT Slope takes its place in 2014 as the top-of-the-line laser rangefinder from Bushnell, replacing the Bushnell Pro 1M Slope. The Bushnell Pro X7 retains all the capabilities of the Pro 1M, and adds Bushnell's "JOLT" feature that provides vibrating bursts to indicate the X7 has locked onto a target. The Pro X7 Slope, of course, returns slope-adjusted distances, and offers the next generation E.S.P. that purports to provide yardages faster and more accurately than before. It remains the largest and heaviest laser rangefinder, with a price tag that will make some reconsider. But if you are looking for 7x magnification, this is the (only) way to go. Read more about the Bushnell Pro X7 JOLT Slope.
Retail price: $599.00
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell Pro X2
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What on earth?! Laser Link gets crazy with their announcement of a golf laser rangefinder that breaks with their traditional and well-known pistol shaped design. As with most laser rangefinders on the market, the XL1000 is held vertically up to the eye and can target objects other than flagsticks with reflective prisms. The XL1000 introduces magnification (6x) for the first time into the Laser Link family, and the ability to scan across multiple objects for distance readings. Read more details in advance of a Laser Link XL1000 review.
Retail price: $359.00
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With the U.S. Open slated for Erin Hills in 2017, how could we pass up the chance to take an up-close look? The course is an hour northwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the 11-room Lodge situated on the same 650 acre property, just steps away from the range and the first tee. Those traveling as a group and looking for more privacy may want to check out the villas, located next to the Lodge. Check out our detailed Erin Hills review!
The Laser Link White Magic is a pistol-shaped laser rangefinder that is a slight iteration to the Red Hot, providing an additional "know your target" setting to make the device beep if it picks up a flagstick, and vibrate if it hits the trees behind (or any other non-reflective object targeted on the course). There is no magnification of the viewfinder, as opposed to most devices that feature 5x or 6x magnification. Read more in our brief in advance of a full Laser Link White Magic review.
Retail price: $329
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Laser Link Red Hot 2.
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If you know of relative newcomer TRUE linkswear, it's probably due to their relationship with Ryan Moore (he's part-owner of the company), or simply the unorthodox look of their line of shoes. With their line of "barefoot" shoes, they offer one of not just the most, ahem, unique-looking designs, but also the thinnest outsole in golf, which will allow you to feel the course more than any of its competitors. If you can get past the design of the original shoe, the TRUE tour, you'll find a shoe that is incredibly light, comfortable, all at a reasonable price. Read more in our TRUE tour golf shoe review.
Retail price: $129
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Oakley is known for bold designs, and the Oakley Cipher 2 spikeless golf shoe lives up to that reputation. The Cipher 2 is extremely lightweight and waterproof. Comfort, however, didn’t reach our expectations, and the Cipher 2 didn’t grip well in longer grass. Read on in our detailed Oakley Cipher 2 golf shoe review.
Retail price: $150
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The ECCO Street is actually the more premium of shoes compared to the ECCO Street Premiere (yes, curious), with the extra cost buying you an upgraded insole, camel leather uppers, and a more breathable lining. It's on the high side in price within our test, but those who are looking for a street shoe that brings comfort and quality to the course will want to check these out. Read on in our ECCO Street golf shoe review.
Retail price: $170
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The ECCO Street Premiere offers good looks and quality, though even as the entry "street" golf shoe from ECCO, competing spikeless shoes can be found for less. We don't have serious reservations, but those considering this shoe should also check out the ECCO Street, which adds a few improvements. Read more in our full ECCO Street Premiere golf shoe review.
Retail price: $150
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The aggressive design of the adidas Crossflex spikeless golf shoe, with its thick midsole and mesh upper, brings to mind traditional running shoes, and it lives up to the comparison. The Crossflex is lightweight, breathable, and phenomenally comfortable. The shoes are grippy on the course, and have the added benefit of being waterproof. Read the deets in our adidas Crossflex spikeless golf shoe review.
Retail price: $100
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The adidas adicross Tour Spikeless golf shoes immediately caught our eye at the store – are those athletic-style shoes? Or more formal saddle shoes? Turns out they’re a little bit of both. Whether you like the hybrid approach or not is a question of individual taste, but we’re here to tell you that the adicross Tour Spikeless are extremely comfortable on the course. Read more in our adidas adicross Tour Spikeless golf shoe review.
Retail price: $150
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Entering the four-wheeled golf travel bag market is the Samsonite Spinner. The Spinner is a four-wheeled soft-case, like the OGIO Mammoth. Unfortunately, like the Mammoth, it struggles to stay upright on the spinner wheels, leading you to just use the other pair of in-line skate wheels to drag it behind you. On the plus side, it’s relatively lightweight (only 10 pounds as tested). The retail price of $360, however, is outrageous. Thankfully we were able to find it at a number of on-line retailers for about $100, which at least makes the Spinner worthy of your consideration. Read on for our detailed Samsonite Spinner Golf Travel Bag review.
Retail price: $360.00
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The Garmin golf GPS watch lineup continues to expand with the Garmin Approach S4, the new top-of-the-line watch in the family. As with the Garmin Approach S3, the S4 features a touchscreen display, is preloaded with courses (and free lifetime updates...we like!), has distances to front/middle/back of greens along with layup and doglegs. The Approach S4 can also measure shot distances and track scores and statistics. While we are still left longing for pre-mapped hazard data and an online portal, the Approach S4 does add the latest and greatest feature from Garmin – the ability to check your emails and text messages when paired with an Apple iPhone. You might be at the office...who knows?! Read more details in advance of our Garmin Approach S4 golf watch review.
Retail price: $249.99 (dropped from $349.99 at launch)
Three year total cost: $249.99
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3BaysGSA is a golf putting analyzer that is designed to plug into the putting grip, and then capture putting stoke data and transmit the information via Bluetooth to your iOS or Android device so you can get instant feedback. The app calculates consistency, face angle, attack angle, temp, back swing time, down swing time, impact speed and swing path distance, all in real-time. There is also an audio-video recording feature, which provides a basic set of AV tools to record and trim video, slow-motion playback, and a line drawing tool. Read more about the 3BaysGSA PUTT.
Retail price: $199.99
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3BaysGSA is a part of an increasingly competitive field of mobile golf swing analysis devices, and in effort to differentiate from the rest, bill themselves as the "World's Lightest Golf Swing Analyzer". The device communicates via Bluetooth with your mobile device, and provides real-time swing analysis information including clubhead speed, face angle, swing path, tempo and more. The mobile app provides an animated graphic of your swing and allows you to compare yours to PGA and LPGA professionals. Interested? Read more about the more about the 3BaysGSA PRO.
Retail price: $199.99
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As with their prior voice GPS devices, the Voice Caddie VC300 speaks distances to center, front and back of the green at the push of a button. The device comes with 30,000 worldwide courses preloaded, and course updates can be downloaded (to Windows devices only...bummer) for free via their client software. The device features, as you would expect, automatic course and hole recognition, shot distance measurement, and volume control. The rechargeable battery provides up to 8 hours of continuous use. Read more about the Voice Caddie VC300.
Retail price: $169.00
Three year total cost: $169.00
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GolfSense is a system consisting of a wearable motion sensor plus free mobile app from Zepp Labs. The motion sensor attaches to any golf glove, allowing the player to analyze their golf swing through instant feedback on their iPhone, iPad or Android device. The sensor, like other competitors in this burgeoning category, captures 3D swing data and sends the information via Bluetooth to your device after each swing.
As with any of these mobile swing tools, remember to keep your expectations in check if you are expecting Trackman-like information. Read more about the GolfSense.
Retail price: $129.99
Availability: Replaced by the Zepp Golf Kit
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There are those of us that are fair-weather players, and those of us that aren't. For those who are more like the Bishop, there is the OGIO Aquatech. The Aquatech stand bag (comes in a cart version as well) has a wide 10" 6-way top, is 4.2 pounds, and is built to withstand downpours. Features include a waterproof rain hood (of course), a lightweight waterproof fabric that makes up the bag itself, a waterproof fleece lined valuables pocket and cell phone sleeve, and thermo welded (whatever that is...) waterproof pockets. So play on...the heavy stuff isn't going to come down for a while. Read on for more about the OGIO Aquatech stand bag.
Retail price: $259.99
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Expresso iterates on their original golf GPS watch with the WR67. Updates to the original WR62 include black and white color options, longer battery life, tee time start function, and adjustable band. The watch is a close cousin of the Bushnell NEO-X watch, with front, center and back of green distances, and limited hazard information. Pricing remains the same as with the WR62, and is one of the least expensive golf GPS watches available, with no additional yearly or per course fees. Read more details about the Expresso WR67 golf GPS watch.
Retail price: $179.95
Three year total cost: $179.95
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So you've won the lottery and have money to burn? You've come to the right place. After treating us to a celebratory round of golf at Pebble Beach, you'll want to check out the lineup of JuCad (pronounce that "you-cad") powered golf trolleys. If you haven't already, you'll be shocked by what you find in these handmade German trolleys. The JuCad family features Titanium, Carbon and Stainless Steel electric cart frames weighing as little as 10.8 pounds. You heard that right: 10.8 pounds for the cart. The battery will add a few more pounds, but still... At first glance these carts are so slim you'll likely mistake them for non-powered carts. The JuCads are good-looking in design, which is kept minimal in nature due to the storage of the battery in the golf bag as opposed to on the frame. Not a bad thing, just...different. Read more about the JuCad Drive SL Travel eX2.
Retail prices: $$$
Availability: Direct from JuCad (contact Jucad)
Based on their best selling GRX-900, CartTek has introduced their first lithium ion battery powered cart, the GRX-950Li. The GRX-950Li offers a significantly lighter battery (just 3 pounds, vs 18 pounds for the GRX-900), more efficient 24 volt electric system to provide longer battery life, a new ergonomic handle and power button, and the option to purchase a padded seat to attach to the frame to let you take a load off during play. The GRX-950Li has a variable speed dial to match your walking pace, and a distance timer to send the cart on ahead of you. The wheels can be set to "freewheel" mode in case of loss of power (or when catching a ride on someone else's driving cart). The chassis is available in black or silver, weighs 24 pounds, and when folded the CartTek GRX-950Li collapses to 12" x 29" x 12" - which CartTek claims is the smallest and lighted folding electric golf caddy available. The frame and battery carry a 2-year warranty.
Retail price: $849
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Think you're Old School? If so, there's a bag for you: The Original Jones Bag. Made of nylon and vinyl, it's the most basic of carry bags in this section, lacking legs and having a single shoulder strap. The Original Jones Bag weighed in at 3.5 pounds, has 3 pockets (two zippered "ball pouches" and a full length pocket on the belly of the bag for your outerwear or other great), an umbrella sleeve, 3-way divider. Old school indeed. Read on for our review of the The Original Jones Bag.
Retail price: $139.95
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Considering a new set of clubs? We are. Every year we do...
Most major manufacturers travel to golf ranges and courses throughout the United States and offer fitting and demo services at no cost. So if you're looking to test out the latest equipment, check out the listings of 2014 golf equipment demo and fitting days in your area.
The GolfBuddy VT3 is the 9th (yup, NINTH) device that GolfBuddy has added to their lineup (which is insane, but we'll leave that for later comment). The VT3 is an iteration to the GolfBuddy Voice+, adding a touchscreen, ability to place the flagstick on the image of the green to obtain more accurate distances, and the ability to score. The device doesn’t provide distances to hazards. Pricing is significantly higher than the GolfBuddy Voice+, which makes us wonder how it will fare. Read more about the GolfBuddy VT3 watch.
Retail price: $299.99
Three year total cost: $299.99
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The GolfBuddy Voice+ is a slight iteration to the GolfBuddy Voice, incorporating a wristband, longer battery life and front and back distances within the main hole view. The device doesn’t provide distances to hazards, nor will it track scores – for that you'll need the GolfBuddy VT3. Read more details about the GolfBuddy Voice+ watch.
Retail price: $179.99
Three year total cost: $179.99
Availability: Replaced by the GolfBuddy VT3
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The Clicgear Sand Bottle is simple to use and compatible with all Clicgear push cart models and most other golf push carts (through the use of the included mounting clips.) The only drawback is that it’s a little pricier than competitive products. Bonus points for encouraging socially responsible behavior!
Retail price: $19.99
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Critical Golf sat down with Dean Millard of The Golf Show on Edmonton's Sports Radio TEAM 1260. We talk about the origin of Critical Golf, some of our favorite devices, and whether we get nastygrams from companies that aren't happy with the Critical Golf reviews of their products (spoiler alert: we do).
The latest entry in the four-wheeled push cart wars, the Caddytek CaddyCruiser ONE features ample storage space and an innovative front axle suspension that reduces the shock on your arms and shoulders as the cart dives over curbs and into gopher holes. The CaddyCruiser won’t win many style contests, but we like its performance and price.
Retail price: $189.00
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Caddytek CaddyCruiser ONE V3
OGIO's Mammoth Golf Travel Bag is large, has a fair amount of padding to protect your clubs, a crush resistant hat pocket (no lie!), a removable shoe pocket (handy!), and six wheels (four spinner wheels on the base and two in-line skate wheels). Unfortunately, it struggled to stay standing upright, rendering the spinner wheels largely useless - and at a hefty $309.00 suggested retail price, you kinda expect all of the features to work all of the time. Read on for our detailed OGIO Mammoth Golf Travel Bag review.
Retail price: $309.99
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Nike's Golf Travel Cover is a straightforward travel bag at a reasonable price, featuring four handles, dual side zip pockets, and adjustable compression straps to secure your clubs. Nike markets its "easy loading" cover, the molded shell at the top of the bag, and 900 denier fabric. The cover is a bit smaller than other travel bags tested, but its tapered design adds to how securely it holds your clubs. Want all the details? Read on in our comprehensive Nike Golf Travel Cover review.
Retail price: $220
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Sun Mountain slightly updates their popular Micro-cart for 2013 with the new Sport. The Micro-cart Sport provides all of the advantages of the original Micro-Cart, with the addition of new colors (spice things up with yellow, lime, blue or red). The cart retains it's four-wheel design, compact folded footprint and light weight. Stay tuned for our detailed Sun Mountain Micro-cart Sport review.
Retail price: $189.00
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Sun Mountain MC3 Micro-Cart
The Clicgear SEAT seemed like a nice concept – a seat that attaches to any model Clicgear push cart (including the new Clicgear 3.5+), giving you the ability to take a load off while waiting for the group in front of you to finish plumb-bobbing their 2 foot putts and finally clear the green. But the seat must be removed every time you fold the cart (and thus must be re-attached when you unfold it), and this inconvenience, however minor leads us to think that it may eventually just gather dust in the garage.
Retail price: $49.99
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For those who go out on their appointed rounds no matter the conditions (neither snow, nor rain...), the Clicgear MITT is a nice way to keep your hands warm and dry. It can be quickly and easily attached to the handle of practically any push cart, and its oversized design lets you slip your hands in and out without a pause. If you don’t want to invest the twenty bucks for the MITT, don’t blame us the next time you go out on Dawn Patrol and your entire arm continues to vibrate for a full fifteen minutes after you skull an iron.
Retail price: $20.00
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If you're looking for a hotel with golf course on the California coast, you would be hard-pressed to find something closer to the water than the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. Located 25 miles southwest of the San Francisco International Airport, the Ritz offers a gorgeous setting with 36 holes of golf, spa, several dining options, and fire pits overlooking the Pacific. And if you would like to bring your pet, the guest houses available a short walk away from the main hotel, are pet friendly. Keep an eye out for our detailed Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay review, coming in 2014.
Perched overlooking the Torrey Pines Golf Course with a view of the Pacific in the distance, The Lodge at Torrey Pines is located just 30 minutes north of San Diego. Doormen in traditional kilted Scottish attire welcome guests to the Craftsman-style lodge, which features two restaurants, a full-service spa, and 36 holes of golf right outside the door. While the architecture and design may not be for everyone, the service is strong, and as Lodge guests you can enjoy the benefit of a guaranteed tee time at the second municipal course to host the U.S. Open. Read on for our full Lodge at Torrey Pines review.
Expedia: View The Lodge at Torrey Pines offers
Callaway likes to pair their rangefinders with their latest club names, thus the new Callaway X Hot laser rangefinder. The device features an LCD display with 6x magnification, and distance readings to 550 yards in half-yard increments. As with other Callaway rangefinders, the device has First Target Priority mode always-on, and can pan and display distances for up to 8 seconds. Read more details about the Callaway X Hot laser rangefinder.
Retail price: $299.95
Availability: Discontinued (may still be found on Amazon). Replaced by the Nikon COOLSHOT.
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GAME GOLF allows players to capture their round of golf (semi) automatically while they play, perhaps a consumer version of Shotlink would be the most apt comparison, with all their stats and trends. The beauty of this is that you don't have to continuously enter information while you play. Can you imagine… technology that doesn't get in the way of you playing your round? Tell me more! After the round, log in and see shot locations (along with a satellite view of the course), clubs used and average distances, as well as other statistics to help you improve your game. Even better, the price has been cut since its introduction! Read more in about the GAME GOLF Classic.
Retail price: $199.00
Three-year cost: $199.00
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Bandon Dunes features five different courses (four of which are generally ranked in the Top 100, the fifth a 13-hole par-3) built on a stretch of sand dunes along the Oregon coast, a number of lodging options, and two restaurants and two bars at and around the main lodge. If you're looking for a pool or tennis courts, forget it. What you get at Bandon Dunes is stunning links golf, and that's all we need. Stay tuned for our detailed Bandon Dunes Golf Resort review, coming this fall.
The Bushnell NEO-X adds a limited number of pre-mapped hazards (two per hole), putting it on par with the Expresso WR62 in terms of feature sets. Blocky styling is offset by reasonable pricing and nice user interface. Check out our detailed Bushnell NEO-X golf GPS watch review.
Retail price: $199.95
Three year total cost: $199.95
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell NEO XS Watch
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The SkyCaddie SkyPro swing analysis and training tool looks to take on the likes of Swingbyte, 3BaysGSA, and others. The SkyPro connects via Bluetooth to your iPhone (the SkyPro iPhone app is free) to provide 3D graphics of your swing, along with data on your clubhead speed, swing path, club rotation, face angle, swing plane, impact position, tempo and more. Features that sound intriguing include the ability to compare two swings, built-in alerts to help identify swing faults, and drills. We so hope that SkyCaddie has done a good job with the user interface (better than with their ClubSG portal). Just remember: as with any of these mobile swing tools, if you are expecting a TrackMan, please keep your expectations in check. Stay tuned for our detailed SkyCaddie SkyPro review.
Retail price: $199.95
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Wondering what the airlines rules and regulations are around traveling with golf clubs? We've pulled together a listing of airlines comments regarding golf clubs as of February 2013.
The recent $50 million facelift of La Costa Resort & Spa, including a full renovation of the Champions Course and four renovated holes on the South Course (host to the Kia Classic LPGA Tournament) was a strong draw, as was the spa (La Costa was the first U.S. resort to offer a full-service spa). But spotty service left us with a bad impression. It's a nice enough place to stay and golf, but it's tough for us to muster up much enthusiasm about making a special trip to get there unless they lift the level of their attention to detail. Read more at our detailed La Costa Resort & Spa review.
For a mere $27, the Club Glove Stiff Arm provides added protection if an airline should drop your clubs on their heads. Easy to use, but the fact that it only protects against vertical impact (and can't help if someone were to stomp on the side of your bag) leads us to give it a polite golf clap, rather than a whooping cheer of "Bababooeyyyyyy". Read more in our detailed Club Glove Stiff Arm review.
Retail price: $26.95
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The Clicgear 3.5+ introduces a novel combination – more features and a lower price. The improvements are largely incremental from the prior generation Clicgear 3.0, but a bigger storage net is always a good thing! The Clicgear 3.5+ is a great performing cart with snazzy looks to boot – whether you like the new color combinations or not is a different matter... For all the details, check out our full Clicgear 3.5+ review.
Retail price: $220
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The Approach S2 is the awkward middle child in the Garmin family, sitting in between the Garmin Approach S1 and the Garmin Approach S3 watches both in terms of feature set and price. Scoring is available, but we are still disappointed with the lack of hazard data or an online portal to track your scoring over time on the Approach watches. The premium price will be difficult to command in the face of recent less expensive product introductions with similar feature sets, though Garmin has brought down the price since its introduction. Read more in our detailed Garmin Approach S2 golf watch review.
Retail price: $179.99 (down from $199.99 at launch)
Three year total cost: $179.99
Availability: No longer manufactured but still available; replaced by the Garmin Approach S3 watch
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We haven't figured out the target market for the SkyCaddie GIMME, which seems to provide the same distance information as the SkyCaddie AIRE. Overall we think SkyCaddie continues to spread themselves too think (in addition to the four models announced for 2013, they have three additional devices still on the market, the new SkyCaddie Breeze, as well as the SkyCaddie SGXw and SkyCaddie SGX. It's like SkyCaddie is trying to do their best to confuse the customer. The GIMME is marketed as having "large, easy-to-read numbers", and distances to the front, center and back of the green. We don't get it, but read more about the SkyCaddie GIMME. And don't forget yearly fees - for the Sport Series, which includes the GIMME, $49.95 will get you 3 years of course updates.
Note: for a limited time, SkyCaddie is offering free annual "Go Play" memberships, which provide course data but not the ability to upload cores and data to ClubSG, which is available separately.
Retail price: $169.95
Three year total cost: $219.90
Availability: Discontinued though still available through some channels; replaced by the SkyCaddie AIRE
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